Belhaven Pubs

The best way to explore the city

The Edinburgh Heritage Pub Trail is a great way to explore the city and learn more about the heritage of both the area, and some of our best-loved pubs. Whether you want to do all 11 pubs in one day, or across a weekend, you won't be disappointed.

For those looking for a great city centre pub without the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile, it would be well worth your while dropping into the Advocate. Situated in Hunter Square, there’s plenty of space to chill out and indulge in a great pub meal or just enjoy a pint or two of your favourite cask ale. The pub carries a great range of Whisky, Gin and Craft Beer plus plenty of soft drinks for those abstaining. Live music is on most weekends, from 9pm each Saturday and Sunday where our ever changing line up play classic sing-a-longs and Scottish favourites.

The Advocate

Albanach, meaning ‘ Of Scotland’ in Gaelic, has steadily built up its reputation over the last 10 years plus to ensure that those seeking to sample the finest Scotch whisky in Edinburgh, need look no further. Boasting over 250 Malts / Blends at any one time, you will be able to find one to suit your taste buds. Need any help, then ask our team to talk you through whisky menu to find the one which suits you. If you are in need of some nourishment to accompany the whisky, grab a table in the front bar area or ask for a table in the rear dining area, a wee bit quieter, away from the hustle and bustle of this popular bar. The pub serves restaurant quality meals with plenty of Scottish favourites to choose from.

The Albanach

One of the most famous (and probably the busiest) pubs in the world-renowned Grassmarket area, the Beehive Inn is both a chameleon and a tardis. In the Summer, when we get the sunshine, choose to enjoy one of the many sun lavished outdoor seats situated at either the front of the property or the secret garden terrace to the rear, with speedy service assured due to our outside bar. If you prefer inside, then help yourself to a seat in our Honeypot area or the main bar area – classic Scottish and British pub meals are served from early to late anywhere you like! Looking for somewhere to go for a late night lively experience, then enjoy our Friday and Saturday night DJ’s playing the best party tunes available. Sport is a big attraction, and you can be assured that all major sporting events are shown on our multiple screens dotted around the pub.

Beehive Inn

Opened in 1863, the Cafe Royal Circle Bar is one of the most famous Edinburgh pubs due to the elaborate, elegant stained glass and fine Victorian decorative works which enhance the building. Our guests can choose to dine in either the original Circle Bar, where tasty bar meals are served all day or in our adjoining Seafood Restaurant, where meals are served to AA rosette standard. Whilst visiting, try and spot the table where the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ was filmed. The building was listed in 1970, thus preserving it for others to enjoy, as we do today, for years to come.

Cafe Royal Circle Bar

Located close to Edinburgh University in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, Doctors has strong links with both Edinburgh university medical college and the old Royal Infirmary which originally stood across the road. The building itself was created to mark the opening of the hospital in 1874 and it also initially housed a cabinet and coffin maker for the neighbouring mortuary! Nowadays you will be met with some of the finest hospitality from the friendly team, serving some of the best pub classics, washed down with a tipple of your choosing. The Doctors is very busy on large sporting events with thirsty punters cheering on their favourites in front of the many screens.

Doctors

A traditional pub in one of the earliest drinking circuits of Edinburgh, ‘The West End’, the Grosvenor these days is a popular stop for a broad mix of clientele. Situated on one of the main roads to and from Edinburgh, daytime tends to cover those workers and shoppers in the area looking for some refreshments or a bite to eat. As the day goes on, this pub transforms into the “place to be” for those who are ‘out on the town’. The Grosvenor is certain to have something to suit everyone’s taste – at last count there were over seventy five whiskies; fifty gins and twenty rums, not forgetting a wide selection of vodka and bourbon. Prefer a pint? There are always four cask ales pouring, supplemented by a great Scottish craft beer range.

The Grosvenor

Located on Cockburn Street, a short walk from Waverly Train Station, you will find this gem of a pub. Offering a relaxed haven from the bustle of Edinburgh, it’s home to 6 cask ales; an extended whisky menu and the best Scottish craft beers and gins available. Food comes by way of classic Scottish pub dishes such as Steak Pie; Hand Battered Fish & Chips and a wee bit of Haggis here and there. On warm, sunny days there are as many seats outside the pub as inside, where our guests can take in the sights and sounds of Cockburn Street.

Malt Shovel

A long-standing institution in Edinburgh’s city centre. Choose to enter from Hanover street and enter our basement area or on Rose Street at street level. Milnes dates back to 1910 and the pub was known for being a popular stopping off point for many of the Scottish Literary fraternity. In fact one of our rooms in the basement was named ‘Little Kremlin’ as a nod to their leanings and still remains today. Nowadays Milnes will be happy to serve you a great pub meal, washed down with a wide selection of the finest Scottish products available... and a few others. It’s very popular for large sporting occasions thanks to Sky / BT Sports and the many screens.

Milnes Bar

Located close to the heart of Edinburgh’s new financial district, as well as some of the city’s best hotels, Shakespeare’s is one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh. As its name betrays, it was built at the same time as the theatres and catered for both the actors and crowds of that era. Close by is the famous Usher Hall – well worth a visit to take in one of the many great performances or acts who appear on a regular basis. On warm days, enjoy one of the outside seats and take time to enjoy the stunning scenery and architecture. Inside, however, some hot food, cold beer and a warm welcome awaits all patrons, old and new – the Steak and Ale pie made with the finest Scottish beer, Belhaven Best is a big favourite!

Shakespeares

Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most haunted cities and the White Hart Inn is no exception. Claimed to be Edinburgh’s oldest pub, parts of it date back to 1516. The pub takes its name from an incident in 1128, when King David 1 encountered the ‘white beast’ in Holyrood Park. Whilst not the biggest pub, some 9 tables inside offer a warm welcome for great Scottish hospitality and live traditional music is free every night for those looking to be entertained. Have we mentioned the haunted cellar? Strange goings on and noises from time to time – ask the Team!

The White Hart

If ever a pub was steeped in history then the Worlds End on the ancient cobbled steps of the Royal Mile would be high up there. Why is the pub called the ‘Worlds End’? Back in the 16th century Edinburgh was a walled city. The gates to the city were located just outside the pub. Brass cobbles on the road by the pub detail the exact location and, as far as the people of Edinburgh were concerned, the world outside the walls was no longer theirs, hence the name, ‘The Worlds End’. This pub gets very busy for food, with its Famous Fish & Chips feeding hungry tourists and locals from early to late. Don’t forget to pick up your t-shirt, proudly being worn all round the world. The pub has free entertainment on most Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings – feel free to contact us and we’ll let you know who’s playing this week.